News

Dubarry wants a bigger US footprint

DUBARRY SHOES, the Galway firm whose boots are seen everywhere from the Chelsea Flower Show to the Dublin Horse Show, is looking to crack America with its waterproof footwear.

The company is in talks to secure a distribution outlet in New York's Bloomingdale's, and wants to generate 80% of sales outside Ireland within five years.

Dubarry is the world leader in technical sailing footwear, which it sells in 20 countries, but has scored a fashion hit in Britain with its waterproof boots. It plans to double sales next year in Britain, where it sells in stores including Harrods, and move into Japan and Italy.

Dubarry's holding company, Glentawn Investments, recently reported profits of 2.02m (£1.4m) for the year ended November 26, up from 1.6m in the previous 10 months. Sales rose 32% to 14.4m on the back of strong British, Dutch and American growth.